Each episode of the “Connecting Love” program features an inspiring real-life story of individuals who rise above physical challenges with remarkable resilience. Born with disabilities, they have proved that “nothing is impossible” by creating meaningful contributions to society through their dedication and hard work.
Preserving beauty of traditional textile and garment craftsmanship
Since her young age, H’Yar Kbour of Dray Sap Commune, Krong Ana District, Dak Lak Province, has been deeply drawn to the traditional art of brocade weaving. She eagerly absorbed the craft from her grandparents and mother, nurturing a passion that would shape her life. But when she was just five or six years old, tragedy struck. She began experiencing severe pain in her legs, and despite many attempts at treatment, her condition worsened until she lost the ability to walk.
“I was heartbroken and ashamed,” she recalled. “But I believed that while this might be my fate, I couldn’t just sit still and accept it. So when I turned ten, I decided to go to school. I stopped dwelling on the pain and chose to motivate myself to keep going,” H’Yar Kbour shared.
As she pursued her education, H’Yar Kbour also honed her skills in brocade weaving. Her dedication did not go unnoticed, as more and more people came to learn from her and buy her handcrafted products. “I want to preserve and pass on the traditional beauty of my ethnic heritage,” she said. “That’s why I have been encouraging other women in the village to join me in this craft.”
The scorching sun and relentless winds of the Central Highlands have never deterred the resilient spirit of this E De woman. Along every path in the village are the footprints of H’Yar Kbour, who goes from house to house, encouraging her community to preserve their traditional craft. Now 60 years old, she remains steadfast and tireless in her mission.
H’Yar Kbour’s journey has been strongly supported by the Buon K’La Women’s Union. Ms. H’Bla, head of the Women’s Union chapter in Buon K’La (Dray Sap Commune, Krong Ana District, Dak Lak Province), said that the Buon K’La Brocade Weaving Cooperative has been operating for over three years. Despite her physical limitations, H’Yar Kbour, the cooperative’s leader, remains a passionate guardian of the traditional craft. Her humble home has become a welcoming space for E De women, a place where they not only reconnect with their cultural roots but also build confidence and earn a livelihood from their heritage.
Promoting the art of paper quilling
Born into a poor family and left with a paralyzed right leg after a severe fever in childhood, Tran Thuy Thuy Vy from HCMC never let her disability hold her back. Instead of feeling ashamed or discouraged, she used it as a motivation to push through challenges, pursue her education, and work tirelessly to become a talented quilling artist with remarkably skilled hands. At the age of 30, she decided to attend university, driven by the belief that “it is never too late to start.” Through determination and perseverance, Thuy Vy has accomplished things many once thought impossible.
She possesses both artistic talent and a sharp sense of aesthetics, with skillful hands. While studying, she took on freelance drawing work to help cover her expenses. Her passion for art led her to participate in various school competitions, where she once won first prize with a quilling piece. That achievement would later lay the groundwork for her own entrepreneurial path.
In 2013, Thuy Vy turned her talent into action by founding Alice Quilling, a paper quilling workshop in District 4, HCMC. Her goal was to pass on her skills and provide employment opportunities for women with disabilities. “At first, I just wanted to help other disabled women,” she explained. “But over time, I realized that everyone deserves a job that matches their physical condition. That is why I decided to expand the workshop to welcome more people.”
Every meticulously crafted quilling piece reflects the talent and precision of individuals with disabilities, offering them a platform to prove that physical limitations are simply minor obstacles. Thuy Vy chose to dedicate her work to the community, prioritizing shared opportunity over personal ambition.
Turning adversity into empowerment
A workplace accident took away both hands of Le Van Tuan, a resident of Tao Son Commune in the mountainous Anh Son District, Nghe An Province. His family borrowed money from relatives in the hope of finding treatment, but the damage was irreversible. The debt remained, and his health did not improve. At one point, Tuan even considered donating his organs to repay what he owed. Haunted by feelings of shame and insecurity over his lost hands, Tuan struggled. But seeing his aging parents and the debt still looming, he made a firm decision – to live better and seek out a job that suited him.
“I was lucky to have an older brother who taught me IT and phone repair without charging a thing. Every day, I would catch a bus at 4 a.m. from my village to Vinh City, Nghe An, to learn from him,” Tuan said. His hard work and persistence eventually paid off. He opened a phone repair shop in his hometown, earning income to support himself and gradually repay his debt. Beyond that, Tuan also dedicates time to helping young people in difficult circumstances learn the skills, offering them a chance at stable employment and a better future.
Dao Duy Bach, secretary of the Youth Union in Tao Son Commune, Anh Son District, Nghe An Province, said: “Tuan is someone who constantly strives to overcome adversity. His determination and resilience are a true inspiration to others. He also dedicates time to helping and teaching vocational skills to many people in the community.”
After being featured on the “Connecting Love” program, aired on VTV1, Le Van Tuan, Tran Thuy Vy, and H’Yar Kbour left a lasting impression with their extraordinary resilience and unwavering commitment to creating value for society, despite facing immense personal hardships. Their stories go beyond personal triumph. By building sustainable livelihoods for themselves, they have also created opportunities for others, offering jobs, sharing skills, and helping transform lives. In doing so, they each honor the beauty of hard work in their own unique way.
Tan Hiep Phat Beverage Group has been a proud companion of the “Connecting Love” program since 2019, with the mission of honoring and amplifying the stories of individuals who embody extraordinary resilience – those who rise above adversity and contribute positively to society.
Guided by its core principle of growing alongside a strong sense of social and community responsibility, Tan Hiep Phat has remained an active force in impactful social initiatives for nearly 30 years. From investing in bridge construction to improve transportation and boost economic development across the Mekong Delta, to donating thousands of cows to help struggling households rise out of poverty, the company’s contributions have reached communities far and wide. Tan Hiep Phat also places a great emphasis on “paying tribute” programs, honoring wounded soldiers, families of martyrs, policy beneficiaries, and those who have made significant contributions to the country’s revolutionary cause.
Children have always been at the heart of Tan Hiep Phat’s mission to serve the community. The company actively supports education through scholarship programs, talent development initiatives, and long-term sponsorships, enabling underprivileged students to continue their schooling. In 2023, the firm, in collaboration with local authorities in four provinces – Binh Duong, Hau Giang, Chu Lai, and Ha Nam – organized the program “Connecting Love – Supporting the Journey to School”, awarding 600 scholarships worth a total of VND1.2 billion to encourage students facing hardship to strive for academic success. In 2022, the company also committed to long-term sponsorship for 50 children orphaned by Covid-19, supporting them until they turn 18. In addition, Tan Hiep Phat regularly visits and encourages these children during national holidays and special occasions.
A representative of Tan Hiep Phat reaffirmed the company’s ongoing commitment to the “Connecting Love” program, with the goal of reaching and uplifting even more individuals facing difficult circumstances. Through this partnership, the company seeks to continue spreading the inspiring message that “nothing is impossible”, a spirit reflected in both the lives of those featured in the program and in Tan Hiep Phat’s own mission, contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate society.
